The Stroller: 'The facts'

Sunday

Mar 3, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Ben Seymour of Tryon, N.C., is suggesting the fellow believing many of this nation's economic woes could be cured by ending aid to foreign countries would be greatly disappointed if that approach were taken. “I contend that he should check the facts,” says Mr. Seymour.

By Lou Parrisstroller@shj.com

Ben Seymour of Tryon, N.C., is suggesting the fellow believing many of this nation's economic woes could be cured by ending aid to foreign countries would be greatly disappointed if that approach were taken. “I contend that he should check the facts,” says Mr. Seymour. “He would find that foreign aid is just slightly more than 1 percent of our spending and would do nothing to fix Social Security or be enough to give raises to retirees and future retirees. Facts are facts, and here are some: Those 2008 figures came from the U.S. Census 2011 Statistical Abstract. The United States spent a total of $49.1 billion on foreign aid that year. According to the Treasury Department and historical tables on the federal budget, total federal spending was $2.98 trillion for the 2008 fiscal year. That means foreign aid made up 1.64 percent of the budget. What about 2009? In that fiscal year, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development, the United States spent $44.9 billion, while overall government spending was $3.52 trillion. Foreign aid spending was 1.28 percent of the total budget. If you're wondering who is a major U.S. aid recipient, these countries were among the top 10 in 2008: Russia ($1.3 billion), Sudan ($1.2 billion), Tanzania ($1.1 billion), Ethiopia ($1 billion), Pakistan ($963 million), Colombia ($888 million), Jordan ($833 million) and Mozambique ($799 million). The totals reflect economic and military aid.”

‘UNBELIEVABLE BARGAIN': It was a small accident but no small bill, as Mike Holmes of Campobello found out when needing medical attention. “I had a small accident a few weeks ago. I cut my hand in a spot where I felt like it would need a little sewing up. I went to a medical care facility to get it done. After a short wait, I got attended to by some extremely nice, professional medics who sewed me up very well, gave me some advice on how to take care of the wound and turned me loose,” he reports. “A few weeks later, I got a copy of the bill sent to the insurance company. I was amazed at the bargain I got with Obamacare looking out for me. I had my hand washed with hospital soap, a shot of Novocain, five stitches, a tetanus shot, a large Band-Aid and a prescription for a few pain pills. The bill was an unbelievable bargain, only $1,753. I can only imagine what it would have been without Obamacare at work.”

ODDS AND ENDS: The Stroller is returning to the American Legion home in Duncan Park on Tuesday to call the bingo games. Who's feeling lucky? Come on out for a fun evening beginning at 7 p.m. u The Stroller's next On The Road trip will take folks to historic Savannah, Ga., next month. The April 28-30 trip also will include a stop at the S.C. Statehouse for a tour. And we'll be dining on some terrific Southern fare, including the fixin's at Paula Deen's Lady & Sons restaurant. You can get a reservation form either at the Herald-Journal or by calling our travel agent at 336-794-3233. Seating is limited, so don't dillydally.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.